When I came out to my older brother, he thought I was joking at first: he said I was too picky when it came to guys, and asked me what my type was, and I said, “Women.” He hugged me after and told me he accepted me and would keep my secret… and then started joking about it in front of my mom and making references to lesbian sex whenever he talked about me. I told him that I’d just been confused a couple months later. Sometimes, it’s just not the right time, and that’s ok. (Nonbinary/21/Gay/genderqueer/transgender)
Story #2240
When I came out, I was about to do standardized testing and my school let us use our phones while we waited. I had half an hour before I was going to take the test, and my friend said she was happy that our other friends were having lots of luck in relationships. To her knowledge, I had never liked someone, but I decided to tell her I liked someone and I was gay. She was happy, and I told a few other people. However, I’m fairly sure I failed that test badly because I could not focus for the life of me.
Story #2239
When I came out to my sister (despite having it all planned out for years) I couldn’t bring myself to say it & broke down twice. After finally building the courage to say, she simply replied, “Oh, I’ve always known! It would be just like you telling me *points to paper* that this is paper, water wet, etc.” She told me that even if this was news, nothing would change. Just like that, years of confusion, stress & anxiety eased…and a weight lifted. I think I’ll sleep really well tonight for the first time in a while.
Story #2238
When I came out to my best friend as aroace, she just shrugged and asked me a few questions to understand it better, but otherwise didn’t make it such a big deal. She’s awesome, by the way. On the other hand, when I came out to my parents, they said that it was “just a phase” and that I shouldn’t say that until I know for sure because I’ll find the right person someday, so that made me angry. Otherwise though, my coming-out experience was good. (F/14/Aro/ace)
Story #2237
When I came out, it was to my friends. My girlfriend at the time came out as trans, and I had known that I’d been trans for a pretty long time. I told my friend group. Mostly everyone accepted me, which made me so happy. I go by Matt now, instead of my deadname. But one of my nonsupportive friends keep asking me why I keep trying to be a dude. They shall never know UvU (Male [FtM]/16/Bisexual)
Story #2236
When I came out I was about eleven or twelve. I was openly out at school already, and living in the South some people were definitely dicks about it. On the bus I was practically bullied. My parents knew, but they didn’t know WHY I was getting bullied. I had aggression issues so I hit a bunch of people for picking on me and ended up getting in trouble with the school. So we sat down and they were like, “Okay, talk to us about what’s happening on the bus” and like I just started RANTING: “Just because I’m bisexual doesn’t mean I’m a lesbian, I’m bi! I like boys too!” I didn’t get much of a reaction, really it was just, “Okay, chill out, we think you’re a bit too young, but it’s fine.” It’s been two, almost three years and now I’m very penly bisexual and me and my dad jokes about how I’m gay all the time. (Genderfluid/13/Bisexual polyamorous)
Story #2235
When I came out to my sister, it was right after she had come out to me as asexual and omni! We were both very loving and supporting of each other and still are! (Scared to tell my mom though. Might wait till I move out and go to college.) (Genderfluid/10/Pretty sure I’m pansexual but still questioning)
Story #2234
When I came out as a lesbian on social media I got almost no reaction from anyone. My sister commented neutrally on it, but that was all. I recently came out as enby on social media and again no one has lifted an eyebrow. It feels great to be myself. I plan on getting a binder soon. (Enby/16/Gay)
Story #2233
When I came out it was a little sudden; the first time I understood the term pan while trying to figure myself out I felt immediately like that was me. Then one day after school some of my friends were asking about whether I had a crush and somehow the conversation went from me protesting embarrassedly that “it’s complicated” to me saying “So I’m pan” as we got on the bus. My friends were gay and trans; and lesbian; so they both were really accepting. It was relieving to finally let somebody know how I felt. I’ve told my mum that “I could see myself with a girlfriend or boyfriend” (in tears) but she said she understood, but she and my dad were both pretty confident I’d “settle down and figure it out” so I don’t think she knows that pan is actually a real thing. I’ll tell her one day soon and explain it fully but right now I think I’ll let her think about it a while longer… (F/15/Pan)
Story #2232
When I came out it was “census day.” I filled out my census on my household account, not realising that when my parents logged in to do theirs, they’d be able to see all of my answers. To cut a long story short, I’m looking for a new house, and I’m going to hell too apparently. (F/18/Pansexual)
[Editor’s note: UK folks, you can go to https://census.gov.uk and click “Need to answer separately from your household?” and they’ll send you an anonymous access code so you can fill in your own information and overwrite whatever your official household form says.]